Leaky pipes are one of the most destructive causes of water damage that can occur in and around your home. To prevent this from happening to you it’s important that you know what the main causes of water damage are so you can look out for them.
From our water damage restoration experts at Proven Professionals in Raleigh, here are five of the main causes of leaky pipes you should be aware of.
Invasive tree roots are the silent killer of underground water pipes. Over the course of many years, tree roots can gradually wind themselves around or puncture water pipes buried in the ground. When this happens, massive amounts of water can spill out of your pipe saturating the ground with water that will eventually make its way toward your home. If you are planting trees, make sure they are well out of the way of water pipes, and if you are moving into a new home make sure the trees aren’t about to damage any pipes below them.
High water pressure leads to damaging wear and tear on your pipes. Water zipping through your pipes at high speeds increases the risk of your pipes bursting. The sudden changes to the direction of water flow can be too much for your pipes to bear, eventually resulting in leaks. While good water pressure is important, you may want to consider dialing your water pressure back some if you have more pressure than you need.
Inevitably, a home’s foundation will gradually shift over time. Sometimes this shifting is more pronounced and cases like this pose a threat to your water pipes. Take note of any shifts in your foundation so you can be prepared if it begins shifting more than it should. Doing this can save you from costly water damage restoration further down the road.
Nowadays, pipes are designed to be resistant to rust and corrosion. However, older models of water pipes made of copper or galvanized steel piping are much more prone to rust. So if you live in an old home, you should be especially cognizant of this issue and rusty pipes are significantly more likely to rupture or leak.
Frequently enduring freezing temperatures can take a serious toll on your water pipes. The best two things you can do to protect them from freezing temperatures are to keep water moving through them and doing what you can to keep the air around them warm. You can keep the water moving by setting your water to a drip on cold nights. You can maintain warm temperatures around your pipes by opening your cabinet doors and installing insulation around the pipes.
Don’t risk a leaky pipe in your home! The damage and expenses incurred from a leaky pipe is much more than anyone would like to take on. Nonetheless, if your Raleigh home is still damaged by a leaky pipe, give the water damage restoration experts a call at Proven Professionals for help and our restoration technicians will be right out to repair the damage.
